Version 1.30 for Astroart 4.0  

To install this plug-in copy the file AF_Plugin.exe into the Astroart directory.
This plugin requires also the ASCOM platform, which is available at http://ascom-standards.org.

This plug-in controls any focuser which is ASCOM compatible. The most important function is automatic focusing.
To move the focuser, click the buttons in the "Control" panel, when the focus is acceptable select the "Autofocus" tab and click the "Start" button to find automatically the best focus.
To test the plugin indoor we suggest to select the ASCOM Focuser Simulator and the Astroart CCD Simulator:

• 1. Connect the CCD Simulator from the CCD Panel.
• 2. Download an image and select a rectangle around a bright star.
• 3. Select the Focus Page and click Focus.
• 4. Click the "PC" button in the Focus Window to launch the Autofocus Plugin.
• 5. Click Connect, select your ASCOM focuser.
• 6. Click "Start" to begin the autofocus session.

• Software backlash. If enabled, the plugin will move the focuser always in the same direction (+). If your focuser has an integrated backlash correction (most focuser have) don't enable this option.
• Steps. How many steps to find the best focus. Usually it's an odd number. For example, if you set "7" the plugin will search for the best focus: three positions back, the current one, and three ahead.
• Increment. This depends by the range of your hardware, some focuser have a range 0..5000 up to 0..50000. Usually 100 is a good value.
• Expo/Step. How many exposures per position, this is useful when the seeing is not good. The plugin will use the highest focus of every set of exposures. If the seeing is good, choose a value from 2 to 4, if it's bad, 4 to 6.